CUNY Protocol On Infectious Disease Notification
From time to time, CUNY students or employees may contract an infectious disease that can be spread through casual contact.  In such circumstances, which could impact the health and safety of the CUNY community, students and employees should notify Student Health Services.  For further information about the Protocol on Infectious Disease Notification, click here.

A MESSAGE FROM ALLAN DOBRIN, EXECUTIVE VICE CHANCELLOR AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, ON CUNY'S ONGOING SEASONAL FLU PREVENTION EFFORTS:

As you may have heard, Governor Cuomo has declared a New York State Public Health Emergency in response to this year's increasingly severe flu season, and issued an Executive Order allowing pharmacists to administer flu vaccinations to patients between six months and 18 years of age. The Governor urged all New Yorkers to get vaccinated against the flu and follow accepted flu prevention practices. His announcement can be accessed at http://www.governor.ny.gov/press/01122013Severe-Flu-Season.

At CUNY, we continue to promote flu prevention by posting updated flu information on our web site, http://www.cuny.edu/flu, and coordinating our flu prevention efforts with the New York City Office of Emergency Management, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and other agencies to track developments and promote the health and well-being of the CUNY community.

The following websites offer information on symptoms of seasonal flu, methods for preventing its spread, and guidance on what to do in case of exposure:

NYC Office of Emergency Management http://www.nyc.gov/html/oem/html/home/home.shtml

NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Flu Clinic Locator https://a816-healthpsi.nyc.gov/DispensingSiteLocator/mainView.do

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/flu/

Flu vaccine is available throughout the city in drugstores, most doctors' offices and Health Department immunization clinics. Call 311 or use the City's flu clinic locator to find a place that offers vaccinations. It is best to call ahead to make sure there is a supply and to find out if an appointment is necessary.

Additionally, CUNY regularly reviews its policies and procedures and recently revised its Infectious Disease Notification Protocol. We encourage you to contact your Campus Health Services Representative for more information on this or any other campus health-related issue.

Finally, if you need further information or clarification, please contact Howard Apsan, University Director of Environmental, Health, Safety and Risk Management, at howard.apsan@mail.cuny.edu.

INFLUENZA-LIKE SYMPTOMS?

If you get sick with influenza-like symptoms this flu season, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people except to get medical care.

Stay home for at least 24 hours after fever is gone, except to seek medical care or for other necessities. (Fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine).

Forging ahead as though you aren't sick when you are will do no one any good. Do not go to class, work, or social events.

Monitor your temperature.

Get plenty of rest.

Drink clear fluids (such as water, broth, sports drinks, electrolyte beverages for infants) to keep from being dehydrated.

Treat symptoms with acetaminophen (Tylenol), not aspirin products. Use throat lozenges/syrup, decongestants, and other over the counter medications as appropriate and as needed.

Cover coughs and sneezes. Wash hands often with soap and water.  If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

Be watchful for emergency warning signs (see below) that might indicate you need to seek medical attention.

If you are in a "high risk" group, contact your health care provide about special care that might be helpful.

If your symptoms appear to be worsening, seek medical attention.

CDC has additional information about taking care of a sick person in your home on its website.

At Risk Groups

Anyone can get the flu (even healthy people), and serious problems from influenza can happen at any age. Certain individuals are "high risk" and should talk to a health care provider about whether they need to be examined if they get influenza-like symptoms this season.  They include:

Children ages 6 months to 24 years (especially children under the age of 2 years old)

People 65 and older

Pregnant women

People with any chronic medical conditions that may increase risk of complications from influenza-like symptoms (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease)

Pneumonia, bronchitis, and sinus and ear infections are three examples of complications from flu. The flu can make chronic health problems worse. For example, people with asthma may experience asthma attacks while they have the flu, and people with chronic congestive heart failure may have worsening of this condition that is triggered by the flu. 

What are the emergency warning signs?

There are emergency warning signs. Anyone who has them should get medical care right away.

In children:

Fast breathing or trouble breathing

Bluish skin color

Not drinking enough fluids

Not waking up or not interacting

Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held

Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

Fever with a rash

In adults:

Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

Sudden dizziness

Confusion

Severe or persistent vomiting

Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

Do I need to go the emergency room if I am only a little sick?

No. The emergency room should be used for people who are very sick. You should not go to the emergency room if you are only mildly ill. If you have the emergency warning signs of flu sickness, you should go to the emergency room. If you get sick with flu symptoms and are at high risk of flu complications or you are concerned about your illness, call your health care provider for advice. If you go to the emergency room and you are not sick with the flu, you may catch it from people who do have it.

How long should I stay home if I'm sick?

CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other things you have to do and no one else can do for you. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medications.)

*Information from CDC and Flu.gov.

What everyday steps can I take to stop the spread of germs?

There are everyday steps you can take in your daily life to help protect you from getting the flu.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• Practice good health habits. Get plenty of sleep and exercise, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat healthy food.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• If you are sick with flu-like illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine.